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Spotlight
A Message from Our Board Chair
 Dear Friends:
On behalf of the entire Council, I am pleased to welcome you to a new program year with Girl Scouts
of Eastern Pennsylvania. I hope your summer was
full and fun.
Since my election as Board Chair at the Annual Meeting in May, I have met with staff, volunteers and the Board to review and evaluate Council governance and policy, and to refine and build upon our three-year strategic plan to further:
- drive our development as a high-capacity Council that is committed to delivering quality opportunities, outcomes and experiences for girls, adult volunteers, our staff and other key stakeholders
- retain and grow a diverse membership of girls and adult volunteers
- position the Council as a regional authority on girls' issues that is committed to develop a new generation of leaders-in part by
challenging girls through stretch-goals and a broader range of exciting activities and programs
- inspire new and enhanced programs and resources that build girls of courage, confidence and character to make the world a better place
- advance our financial growth and stability, and secure resources that enable us to achieve our mission and goals
At our meeting on September 22, the Board of Directors approved the updated strategic plan and the budget for 2009-10. We ended fiscal year 2009 on September 30 in a strong financial position and with many goals accomplished. With Barbara Hill joining us in an interim capacity as we transition to a permanent CEO, we anticipate continuing such positive steps forward. Our staff has stepped up to the plate during this interim period and is doing a wonderful job of keeping the Council operating smoothly.
I look forward to meeting and working with many more of you in the coming months as we work together for our girls' future.
Yours in Girl Scouting,
Ann Thornton Field
Chair, Board of Directors
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Announcements
GSRI's Michael Conn kicks-off
Advisory Council's Breakfast Roundtable
Michael Conn, Ph.D., Vice President, Research of the Girl Scout Research Institute, will be the guest speaker at the Inaugural Breakfast Roundtable session of the GSEP Advisory Council on Thursday, October 8 at the Berks County Community Foundation. Dr. Conn has been the driving force behind GSRI's groundbreaking studies, including The New Leadership Landscape, Change It Up! and The New Normal. Anticipated later this year is a new GSRI study examining youth and ethics. Watch for a follow-up on Dr. Conn's comments in an upcoming issue of eNews.
Girl Scout Families! Save when you shop at The Gap--October 15-18
Don't miss The Gap's "Good Things in Store" promotion, entitling coupon holders to 25 percent off regularly priced merchandise! Multi-use coupons will be honored throughout the weekend at all The Gap retailers in the GSEP service region, but shopping Scouts and their friends and family can expect warm welcomes from retail partners at the Plymouth Meeting Metroplex and Willow Grove Park (both in Montgomery County), and Springfield Mall (Delaware County), with in-store parties and refreshments. Contact Cheryl Baker at cbaker@gsep.org or 610.791.2411, ext. 1508.
Planting Seeds, Growing Lives patch blooms through collaboration
GSEP has collaborated with the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society to create the three-part Planting Seeds, Growing Lives Patch program to encourage Scouts of all ages to build relationships and learn how to use horticulture and greening in ways that can transform their communities. Hands-on activities--which include planting a pizza garden and worm composting!--focus on the tenets of Growth, Exploration, and Leadership. Click here to preview the curriculum and workbook. Scouts who earn at least one of the badges will be honored on Girl Scout Day (Sunday, March 7) at the 2010 Philadelphia International Flower Show.
Scholarships available for older girls
Elks National Foundation Scholarships-Applications for the Elks National Foundation's 2010 Most Valuable Student contest are available online, from your local Elks Lodge, or by sending a self-addressed, stamped envelope to the Foundation (2750 N. Lakeview Avenue, Chicago, IL 60614-2256). High school seniors can apply for one of 500 four-year scholarships, ranging in value from $4,000 to $60,000. Application deadline is November 2, 2009.
2010 GSEP Awards and Scholarships-Information about GSEP's 2010 Awards and Scholarships will be available in October. Girl Scout Seniors and Ambassadors may apply for awards ranging from $50 to $1,000. Deadline for applications and references is January 15, 2010. Contact Joan Hannahoe at jhannahoe@gsep.org or 610.791.2411, ext. 1509.
IMPORTANT!
More information about new Girl Scout Award guidelines Deadlines
The deadline for current 8th-graders to complete the Silver Award according to old or new guidelines has been changed to 9/30/11. See our updated chart for complete Awards Guidelines according to grade- and age-level.
New project qualifications and requirements
- Projects must meet an identified community need
- Projects must represent a "stretch-goal" that is truly challenging and entails an activity or outcome that the girl has not yet achieved
- Projects must be sustainable; one-day events are not
acceptable award projects
- Projects must include a seven-hour leadership component through
which the girl recruits, trains and supervises a team of three or more
non-related volunteers to assist in teaching and directing others to complete the project
- Collections may be included as an element of an award project,
but cannot be considered as stand-alone projects
- Fundraising for other organizations is not permitted by GSUSA,
and is not an acceptable award project
Guidelines workshops Silver and Gold Award Workshops posted on E Council through November 2009 will review existing award guidelines, project ideas and paperwork procedures. Award Steps 2 through 4 will not be covered. Watch for information about New Guidelines Workshops, beginning in January. Girls and troops intending to use the new guidelines can begin work on an age-level Journey. Refer to the Award Guidelines Chart for important details about required Journeys and Take Action Projects. Contact Joan Hannahoe at jhannahoe@gsep.org or 610.791.2411, ext. 1509. GSEP Forms and Publications are 'Going Green'
GSEP launched a "Go Green" initiative this year to create an organization that is environmentally responsible and to do our part to protect our girls and the environment for years to come. Part of this initiative includes responsible paper consumption. In addition to eliminating paper cups and installing recycling bins at all of our service centers, we now offer the majority of our forms and publications electronically on our website. Most publications become available online 3 weeks before they are printed. Some publications are made available only in limited quantities. Contact your Membership Services Representative to request a printed copy of a form or publication and they will provide it within 7-10 working days. Thank you for your support as we work to become more environmentally responsible. Berks/Lehigh Valley Service Centers
Linda Mikle, lmikle@gsep.org, 610.791.2411, ext. 1522 Delaware County Service Center Lisa Doyle, ldoyle@gsep.org, 610.328.3100, ext. 1300 Jane Seltzer Service Center
Susan Schmalzried, sschmalzried@gsep.org, 215.745.1717, ext. 1200 Shelly Ridge Service Center Kaye Nicol, knicol@gsep.org, 215.564.2030, ext. 1018 Valley Forge Service Center Kathy Jermacans, kjermacans@gsep.org, 610.933.7555, ext. 1457 How are we doing? Tell us!
Help us do a better job of serving you. Take a few moments to complete our survey Customer Service: How are we doing?Your feedback is important, and helps us do our best to meet your needs and serve our girls. With customer service questions or concerns, contact Mary Novak at mnovak@gsep.org or 610.791.2411, ext. 1530.
New and improved Resource Lending Library
On October 1, we began implementing a new library inventory system, which allows staff to help volunteers search for resources that are available at all of our Service Centers--such as books, kits and flags--and to check-out those items. Now, you can reserve items from one Service Center and have them delivered to another, and also schedule reservations up to a year in advance, so you can start planning activities for your next camping trip. Coming soon! Volunteers will be able to browse the Resource Library through the GSEP website to see what's available! Watch for more information. Stop by any of our Service Centers and see what we've done. We look forward to better serving you through these enhancements. Contact Tracey Bunch at tbunch@gsep.org or 484.920.3047, ext. 1425. | |
Program Corner
Fall Product Program underway with online sales
Girls and adult sponsors! Use the QSP Online Program to sell magazines, music and books to family and friends. Register online and complete the interactive learning activity, then input email addresses and personalize your notes to drive product sales. Enter 12 or more email addresses and earn a Solve It Together patch! Every online subscription sold generates $2 in proceeds for your Scout's troop and tallies credit toward her individual recognitions. Visit GSEP's Product Program page for more information, or just click the patch below to get started.
Earn leadership hours at Conference planning meeting--October 11
Girls in grades 8-12 and adult volunteers are invited to organize and facilitate the 2010 Young Women's Leadership Conference in March. The next planning meeting is Sunday, Oct. 11 from 2-4pm at the Valley Forge Service Center. Girls can earn leadership hours by serving on the committee. Contact Joan Hannahoe at jhannahoe@gsep.org or 610.791.2411, ext. 1509 if you plan to attend.
BOO! at Camp Tohikanee--October 17
Girl Scout Juniors can still sign up for this frightfulicious time with ghosts and goblins on Saturday, October 17 from 6-8:30pm. Cost is $10 per girl.
Programs for budding scientists
Seven 'Science Saturdays' for Biomedical Enthusiasts
October 3-April 10
Girl Scout Cadettes can still sign-up for this seven-session program that explores device design, drug delivery systems, biomechanics and robotics. Instruction provided by female engineering students. Sessions run October through April, the first Saturday of the month, from 9am-1pm at Drexel University (Room 240, The LeBow Engineering Center, 3100 Market Street, Philadelphia). Lunch is provided. Register on E Council or contact Linda Delenick at ldelenick@gsep.org or 215.564.2030, ext. 1102.
Get a clue at CSI Forensic Science Workshop--November 7
Scouts in grades 8-12: explore the science that solves crimes! Test hair and fiber samples, practice chromatography, finger and lip printing, and conduct handwriting analysis and computerized face composites. Workshop will be held on Saturday, Nov. 7 from 9am-3pm at Penn State / Abington Campus (Montgomery County). Cost is $50 per girl; Safety-Wise® adults only.
Turn trash into toys, music and poetry at
two crafty programs--November 14
Girl Scout Brownies! Professional artist Patty Greenspoon will show you how a little imagination can be used to recycle clean waste and other household items into beautiful crafts at two events on Saturday, Nov. 14 at Shelly Ridge Service Center. Cost for both programs is $10 per girl (free for adults). Register on
Rainy Weather--10am-12noon
Add some foil and a few dried beans to a paper roll and you get ...a rain
stick, a decorative instrument used by Chileans to invoke the spirits. Compose a seasonal Asian weathergram, a blessing written in calligraphy on kraft paper from grocery bags that is hung outdoors to wither and fade with the autumn leaves.
'Junk Dolls'--1-3pm
Create your own family of "green" dolls using empty water bottles, paper rolls, wood and fabric scraps, packing peanuts and plastic bags!
Go back to Camp at Laughing Waters in November and December
Fall Camp-In (for GIRLS ONLY!)--November 6-8
Wish you were back at summer camp? Campers in grades 1-12 from all GSEP resident and day camps are invited to this fun-filled weekend with a Friday night campfire, archery, hiking, arts and crafts and games, ice cream sundaes and more. Cost is $60 per girl.
Hip Hop to Change the World--December 4-6
Girls in grades 2-12 can sign up individually, bring a friend or attend with their troop to write rap songs and poetry, develop original choreography, or make an Advoca-T that express ideas to change the world. A Sunday concert for families showcases the girls' creativity. Girl Scout Brownies earn the Creative Composing Try-It, and Girl Scout Juniors earn the Music Fan badge. Girl Scout Cadettes, Seniors and Ambassadors earn components of the Performing Arts Interest Project. Cost is $40 per girl or Safety-Wise® adult. Register on
E Council or contact Amy Hollaman at ahollaman@gsep.org or
215.564.2030, ext. 1106.
Girl Scout Juniors!
Learn how to get (most of) what you want--December 6
Negotiation is an important skill that helps people come to mutual agreement where everyone wins--at least a little! There's no guarantee you'll be able to talk your way into straight-As on your report card, but you will learn the art of making a deal at "How to Get What You Want" on Sunday, Dec. 6 from 1-4pm at the Valley Forge Service Center. (NOTE!! This is a time change!) Representatives from TD Bank will also provide instruction about credit purchasing and how it works. Cost is $15 per girl, $10 per adult. Register on E Council or contact Tracey Bunch at tbunch@gsep.org or 484.920.3047, ext. 1425. |
Picture Place
Approximately 60 Girl Scout Brownies, Juniors and Cadettes from Rock United Service Unit #621 (Bucks County) celebrated bridging troops and recognized girls who earned their Girl Scout Bronze, Silver or Gold awards.  | |
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GSEP IN THE NEWS
50-year proof in Emmaus: A Scout is a 'sister to every other ...'GSEP Membership Manager Georganne Seeley and Emmaus SU #742 volunteer Karen McGuinness met 91-year old Mildred Weidner, past leader and founder of Troop #33 in Emmaus. In 1959, she sealed a package addressed to "Girl Scouts of 2009" in a time capsule recently opened by the Borough of Emmaus. Reporters and photographers from The Morning Call and the Reading Eagle covered the ladies' first meeting. Council Rock's first-ever 'Weather Wiz' blows in a hair-raising experience
Don't miss this priceless photo! Girl Scout Brownie Georgia Dolan (Troop #21603, Bucks County) saw her hair literally stand on-end as she learned about meteorological sciences at Weather Wiz, a full-scale weather fair that attracted more than 300 girls. Girl Scout Cadette leaders Becky Archacki (Troop #5902) and Nicole Creely (Troop #53309) got enterprising when they set up a recruiting table at a ready-for-school event in Garnet Valley (Delaware County). Award-winning Scouts keep deliveringKatie Zambanini of the Boyertown Service Unit (Berks County) earned her Silver Award for writing and illustrating a children's book to connect Allentown's America on Wheels museum with younger visitors.
Katie Giesa and Claire Kraft (see p.5) from Spring Ford Service Unit #646 (Montgomery County) earned Bronze Awards by sending emails, making phone calls and knocking on doors to collect nearly 200 stuffed animals, which local police and food banks will use to soothe youngsters impacted by accidents, fires and domestic matters.
Under the leadership of Fran Savini, Scouts from Troop #2994 (Montgomery County) also earned Bronze Awards by hosting a movie night at their elementary school. 'Admission' was a sweet treat, which the girls collectively donated to a local church. Sisters Gabby and Melanie Watson from Troop #41067 (Chester County) have their eyes on the Silver. This summer, Gabby ran an outdoor sports and safety station at a Girl Scout Day Camp while Melanie conducted a one-week theater program at a local library. _______________ |
GOVERNANCE NEWS
9-11am
Valley Forge
Service Center
100 Juliette Low Way, Valley Forge
2-4pm
First Presbyterian Church
3231 W. Tilghman Street, Allentown
All GSEP volunteers and registered members may attend, but must RSVP. Email your completed RSVP form to DelgateMeeting@gsep.org or call Rosa Sanchez at 888.564.4657, ext. 1029 with all information requested on the online form. Dates and locations for the Spring Delegate Meetings and Annual Meeting are posted on the GSEP Governance page. Contact Olivia Selinger at oselinger@gsep.org or 888.564.4657, ext. 1040.
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| COOKIE
PROGRAM NEWS
Are you a Tough Cookie? Find out!November 7
Girl Scout Cadettes, Seniors and Ambassadors: kick your cookie sales into high gear! Learn practical business skills, develop convincing presentations and practice your public speaking at the exciting program, "Tough Cookies: Breaking into the World of Business." College students will teach entrepreneurship basics to boost your cookie sales. Register on E Council for this event at West Chester University on Saturday, Nov. 7 from 1-4pm. More dates and locations throughout the Council will be announced soon. Contact Kristen Hughes at khughes@gsep.org or 610.933.7555, ext. 1449.
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ADULT DEVELOPMENT CORNER
Volunteer for the Adult Recognition Committee
Recognition and appreciation of volunteers is a vital part of GSEP's philosophy, and our Adult Recognition Process gives volunteers and staff an opportunity to nominate those who volunteer at any level for an award. To acknowledge even more volunteers, new award categories have been added to this year's program, and all Service Units are encouraged to participate in the nomination process.
Adult Development is also seeking candidates for the Adult Recognition Committee, which serves many functions through two subcommittees:
The Selection Sub Committee promotes the Recognition Process throughout the Council, and will conduct the confidential review and selection of award nominees on Tuesday, March 9
from 6-9pm
at the Lehigh Valley Service Center.
In conjunction with the Council's Adult Development and Special Event staff, the Event Committee plans and executes the Adult Recognition event. Responsibilities include selection of the emcee and keynote speaker. Meeting dates will be announced.
Candidates will be interviewed by Adult Development staff and, committee members receive free admission to the event. To schedule an interview, contact Devon Miller at dmiller@gsep.org or 610.933.7555, ext. 1419. _______________
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WHAT'S IN STORE
Did you hear?
We extended our
shop hours!
In response to requests from volunteers and parents, we've extended our store hours! Each of our Retail Shops is open late one night each week, and on one Saturday each month. During October, all Shops will have Saturday hours for your convenience. Click here for a full schedule of Retail Shop hours. Still need more flexibility? Shop online, anytime!
Think Globally,
Shop Locally!
Girl Scouts merchandise is available through GSUSA, 3rd-party retailers, and GSEP Council shops. But when you shop through GSEP, either online or at one of our five regional stores, you directly support our Council. All proceeds are invested in our programs, activities and the dreams of our girls.
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Edited by: Betsy Taube | Design and Layout: Jenny Kontos
GS News Hard Copies:
If you know of a Leader or Service Unit Manager who does not receive GS News because s/he does not have access to a computer, please have them contact us for a mailed copy. Call or email Loretta Rudzinski at 866.564.2030, ext. 1049.
Don't forget to forward this e-mail to your fellow volunteers by clicking the "Forward" link in the bottom left corner of this page. They can subscribe by entering their e-mails in the "Join Our Mailing List" box in the lavender right-side panel.
Shelly Ridge Service Center | 330 Manor Road, Miquon, PA 19444 | Tel. 888.564.4657 | Fax 215.564.6953
Mailing address | PO Box 27540 | Philadelphia, PA 19118 |
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